The J-Notes
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Utah Jazz vs Portland: Can the Jazz make it nine in a row?

By John Keeffer

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 9: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz reacts during game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 9, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, UT - FEBRUARY 9: Rudy Gobert #27 of the Utah Jazz reacts during game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 9, 2018 at Vivint Smart Home Arena in Salt Lake City, Utah. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Melissa Majchrzak/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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Portland Trail Blazers Damian Lillard CJ McCollum
PORTLAND, OR – FEBRUARY 8: Damian Lillard #0 of the Portland Trail Blazers looks on during the game against the Charlotte Hornets on February 8, 2018 at the Moda Center Arena in Portland, Oregon. Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Sam Forencich/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Make life difficult for the Blazers duo

The Blazers boast one of the most formidable backcourt duos in the league. The 1-2 punch of Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum combines for an average of 47.1 points per game, but on any given night, they can do so much more than that. Over the past two weeks, both McCollum and Lillard have gone off for 50 points, and both needed just three quarters to do so.

Both players can hurt you from the inside and the outside, and in order for the Jazz to win, they are going to have to make both players work.

In this most recent eight-game winning streak, the Jazz have had the No. 2 defense in the league, with a 97.2 rating. They are back to allowing one of the lowest opponent 3-point percentages, and Gobert and Favors are roaming the paint like two monsters.

The last time the Jazz played the Blazers, they limited McCollum to just 16 points on 6-of-20 shooting. Lillard did score 33 in that game, but he shot 4-of-15 from three. If the Jazz can match that effort, even on the road they could come out on top.

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